State Department Studies British Empire PreJerential Duties

Such Duties, Including Those on Lumber, B{l_g Examined in Connection \(/ith Proposcd Agreement With Canada

Washington, August 4-Responding by letter to recommendations made by the National Lumber Manufacturers Association, as the representative of the regional associations of lumber manufacturers and lumber export g'roups concerning the proposed trade agreement with Canada, Assistant Secretary of State Fran,cis B. Sayre has discussed the matter of British Empire preferential duties. Lumbermen have noted that while other parts of the British Empire, subject to State Department studies, would automatically enjoy all United State tarifi ,concessions made to Canada on other ,commodities, Canadian l-umber would continue to enjoy preferential treatment in ,competition with United States lumber in those countries.

Mr. Sayre mentions the fact that the lumber industry had recommended (in view of the Government's policy of generalization of tarifi concessions under trade agreements) that consideration be given to the withdrawal "of, our minimum duties from ea,ch of the British Dominions or Colonies which are granting preferen.ces in tariffs or other form to Canadian lumber," with due regard to obligations under the existing treaties or agreements. It is explained that in a press release issued by the Department of State on April 1, 1935, Canada is included among the countries with which trade agreement negotiations are now in prog'ress, to which our "minims6 1afss"-established in concluded agreements-have been extended for six months from April 1, 1935. Before the end of that period, it is hoped that a mutually satisfactory trade agreement can be concluded with each of these countries. The Assistant Secretary of State points out that if su,ch agreements are not concluded within the indicated period, or the foreign country has not agreed " to accord fair treatment to American products in respect of both modern and old forms of trade control measures, outr minimum rates may be withdrawn from such ,country on October 1, 1935."

Continuing, Mr. Sayre's letter states that Great Britain and other ((than Canada) members of the British Empire are included in that group of ,countries to which our minimum rates have been extended for unspecified periods. As stated in the above-mentioned press release, the policy of the Department is defined to be that of carefully studying the acts and policies of the countries in this group, with a view to determining. whether such countries merit the continued enjoyment of our minimum duties. A further point is made in the letter that the ,countries in the various groups may be shifted from one group to another, and that the views of the lumber industry regarding generalization of concpssions made by the United States under trade agreements have been noted.

fmportance of fncreasing Exports

Mr. Sayre dwells on the importance of increased export trade to the lumber and lumber produ,cts industries of the Unirted States. Figures are qu,oted to shorv that the average annual exports of these goods were $150,0@,000 in 1926-1930 and only $39,000,000 in 1932, re,covering orrly to $62,000,000 in 1934. These figures do not include exports of naval stores or wood exported in the form of manufactured articles.

Our foreign markets, the Assistant Secretary asserts, must be restored if a full measure of prosperity and stable conditions are to be established in the United States, and adds : "The Administration is ,convinced that the trade agreements program offers the surest and most practicable means of restoring our foreign trade." It is remarked that the agreement with Cuba resulted in considerable tariff concessions for lumber and wood products, and that in the case of Belgium, concessions were obtained on various classes of sawn wood and carpentry work. The hope is expressed that as other trade agreements are negotiated, the field of exportation of American lumber will be "materially increased". The point is also made that an increase of exports of other American commodities will directly benefit a large number of lumber manufacturers whose products are used in the manufacture or packing of those commodities. It is also argued that an increase in foreign commerce of the United States will ,contribute to revival of the construction industry and hence of the domestic market for lumber.

Howard Coor-Pender Appointed Manager

Howard Coor-Pender has been appointed manager of the Frank Graves Sash, Door & Mill Co. of Los Angeles. Mr. Coor-Pender has been with the firm for a long period and was formerly sales manager. He is widely known in millwork cir,cles throughout California. Mr. Coor-Pender su,cceeds B. H. Horkin who recently died.

Appointed Arizona-New Mexico Representative

The Chas. R. McCormick Lumber Co. has appointed James P. Gibson as their Arizona and New Mexico representative. His headquarters are at 54 West Vernon Ave., Phoenix, Ariz., Telephone 3-7677.

Mr. Gibson is widely known in lumber circles in Arizona and New Mexico where he has been connected with the lumber industry for many years. He formerly r.prdsented the Frank Graves Sash, Door & Mill Co. of Los Angeles in that territory, and prior to taking over his new position, was with the Baskett Lumber Co. ,at Phoenix.